Question

1. Explain what is data and list the different types of data?
2. List and explain the different methods to collect data.

Answer 1

1. Data may be defined as a systematic record of a given quantity. It is the various values of that quantity represented in a set together. It is a collection of facts and figures to be used for a specific purpose, such as an analysis or survey. Could be called knowledge when presented in an ordered way. Another important factor is the source of the data (primary data, secondary data).

Qualitative Data:They represent some traits or attributes. They represent characteristics which can be observed but can not be measured or computed. For example , data on attributes such as intellect, fairness, competence, cleanliness and creativity collected using your class students will classify a sample as qualitative. In their nature they 're more exploratory than conclusive.

Quantitative Data: These are measurable and not just observable. They can be interpreted numerically, and calculations can be made on them. For example, data on the number of students from your class playing different sports gives an estimate of how many of the total students are playing which sport. This is numeric and can be classified as quantitative

Primary Data: These are the data that an investigator first collects for a particular purpose. Primary data are 'pure' in the sense that there have been no statistical operations on them, and they are original. Indian census is an example of the primary data.

Secondary Data: They are the data from somewhere that gathered it originally. This indicates that certain researchers or researchers have already collected this type of data in the past, which are available in either published or unpublished form. This knowledge is impure, as statistical operations might have already been carried out on them. An example is information available on the website of the Government of India, the Department of Finance or in other archives, books, newspapers etc.

2. Any of the approaches discussed here are quantitative, which describe anything that can be counted. Others are qualitative, which means variables other than numerical values are considered. In general, questionnaires, surveys, and documents and records are quantitative, whilst qualitative are interviews , focus groups, observations, and oral history. The two strategies may also be combined.

Marketers, scientists, academics, and others may initiate a study with a predetermined hypothesis, but often their analysis begins with data collection. The gathered data is initially unstructured. Various statistics and figures may have meaning, or may not. The job of a researcher is to make sense of this data, and often helps in choosing the method for collecting data.